Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (answers vary in length from four to eleven letters, and six are capitalized) then enter them in the grid one after another in the same order as their clues, starting in the upper left corner. Across words that don't end at the right continue on the next row, and down words that don't end at the bottom continue in the next column. Eleven across words and ten down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is omitted. Those twenty-one letters, taken in order as they occur in across and down words, spell a seven-word message related to the mystery entry. Thanks to Kevin Wald for test-solving and editing this puzzle. (If you are having trouble printing these puzzles, you can download an Adobe Acrobat version of the puzzle and grid). [Want to see some hints?]

1. Mystery entry
2. Refrain from embracing this French teacher
3. Massaged cool redhead in shade
4. See Ann naughtily catching Rod in trap
5. Yours truly, for instance, chipped in a lot
6. Sea horse
7. Get set around noon for boat
8. Prophet has a penny for a feast
9. Smooth in taking liberties
10. McDonald's hosts a lady from Portugal
11. Punish rotter; give back in kind
12. Soldier in turbulent sea gets protection
13. Mystery entry
14. Get centavos in exchange for pence or mark
15. Beezer's got one sound
16. Priest has converted humanity
17. Passageway guarded by Hussar cadet
18. Beloved author to give first of lectures
19. Colorado peak, going west, is highest part
20. Rhine's rippling with silvery fish
21. Sara's back carrying rare tapestry
22. Add scratch pad & pen
23. Constellation's tropic realignment
24. Mystery entry

1. Ants, mistakenly bearing left, take an oblique course
2. Mystery entry
3. Spot toddler holding onto primate
4. Measure of cash initially involved in deal
5. Trojan city
6. Topless tenant wanders about
7. Newlywed has to wait to embrace rabbi
8. Emperor of generosity
9. Tell story of rat caught in snare, headless
10. John Cuevas makes a point
11. Rent from stores
12. Primarily red or dark sensitive cells
13. Heinous crime concealing true standard of measurement
14. Cut of beef and egg found in shelter
15. Awakening, civic leader quits party
16. Utter, absolute stress
17. Forbidding eastern soot
18. Papa replaces shield's failing hinge
19. Fall back asleep, worn out after run
20. A step astray in a flash flood
21. Endless reverence for Mondrian
22. Articulate employee getting further up the ladder
23. Mystery entry
24. Treading slippery slope